Hughes River Expeditions

Hughes River Expeditions

Salmon River Rafting Trips

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Our River Menu

Our river meals are delicious, surprising, and great fun for guests and the guides who prepare them. The keys are “fresh, top quality food prepared carefully” by guides who love to cook and “show off” off in our river kitchen. Hughes rafts carry huge ice chests that hold fresh meats and fish, fresh fruits & vegetables, dairy products, and other goodies for the entire trip. Each evening, we have a stack of up to seven Dutch ovens filled with the main course, side dishes, hot breads, desserts,  there’s always “plenty” on a Hughes trip.

 

Dine in comfort with camp chairs, dining tables complete with table cloths, real plates and silver. Best of all, the Hughes Crew does the set-up, cooking, serving, and clean up – all with a smile. Cooking great meals on the river is great fun.

Hughes provides a complimentary beverage supply of beer, soda, fruit drinks and wine. Generous, but not intended to cover all trip beverages. And the other good news is that we have ample room for you to bring your favorites. Large ice chests keep the drinks chilled. Cocktail ice is available each evening.

We know you don’t come on a river trip just for the food. However, we take pride in fabulous meals. Hughes River meals are not just food, they are GREAT FOOD! Here’s an outline of what you can expect on a six day trip.

Breakfast

Breakfasts always include coffee, hot chocolate, tea, fruit juice, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, half & half. Beverages, fruit, cereal at 7:00 am, and breakfast at 8:00 am.

  • French Toast and thick cut Idaho Bacon (vanilla yogurt, boysenberry and maple syrups)
  • Huevos Rancheros Breakfast burritos (scrambled eggs, corn and flour tortillas, chorizo, country sausage, fresh veggies, cheese, sour cream, salsa, black beans, refried beans …)
  • Yeast & Blueberry pancakes, fat links, eggs to order (vanilla yogurt, boysenberry and maple syrups)
  • Breaded and fried catfish fillets, Dutch oven cinnamon rolls, hash browns, eggs to order.
  • Lochs & Bagels, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola.

Lunch

Lunches include a fresh salad, cookies, candy, fruit, nuts, veggies, cheeses, and a variety of condiments.

  • Deli sandwich bar, homemade pasta salad, homemade cookies.
  • Caesar salad, wraps, sides of salmon and bacon. Cold cuts and cheeses.
  • Chicken, Bacon & Ranch salad wraps.
  • Deli sandwich bar, chips & cookies.
  • Taco Salad, cold cuts and a variety of cheese.
  • Locally catered lunch-every river varies.

Hors d’oeuvres

Each night is different. Plan on steamed artichokes with lemon and butter dip, an assortment of crackers & cheese, bruschetta, clam dip, guacamole always fresh and good.

River bruschetta

Dinner

Dinners are highlights of each river day. Hughes provides six bottles of wine per evening.

1st Night

  • Grilled wild sockeye salmon fillets
  • Scratch Dutch oven cornbread
  • Pasta
  • Wilted Spinach salad w/ warm dressing – with sides of bacon and boiled eggs
  • Dutch oven brownies with whipped cream

2nd Night

  • 40 Mile Stew (Dutch oven delight, with lots of river history to enjoy) “Unique Specialty of the House”. Many guests say it’s their favorite, and ask for the recipe and a store to buy a Dutch oven.
  • Scratch Dutch oven buttermilk biscuits
  • Fresh corn on the cob
  • Deluxe cole slaw (cabbage, apples, oranges, raisins, walnuts on the side)
  • Dutch oven fruit cobbler

40 mile stew

3rd Night

  • Marinated grilled thick cut pork chops
  • Apple Sauce
  • Scratch Dutch oven beer bread
  • Stir fried veggies
  • White Rice
  • Dutch oven carrot cake – double layer with creamy icing

Pork chops on the grill

4th Night

  • Dutch oven Rock Cornish game hens with wild rice and veggies – spectacular Dutch oven meal. A Hughes specialty.
  • Scratch Dutch oven buttermilk biscuits
  • Deluxe green salad
  • Dutch oven fruit cobbler

5th Night

  • Grilled rib eye steaks & shrimp
  • Garlic bread
  • Dutch oven Sheepeater Potatoes (Idaho potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese, sour cream and cream of mushroom soup). Classic Idaho river dish.
  • Caesar salad
  • Dutch oven chocolate cake – double layer with raspberry jam between the layers and thick creamy chocolate icing

*We are happy to accommodate meal requests for certain diets, allergies,and or sensitivities. Call our office for more details.

Wine on the river

Guest Information

  • 2024 Schedule and Rates
  • 2023 Schedule and Rates
  • Our River Menu
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Download Brochure
  • Hughes River News

Client Testimonials

…the trip of a liftetime…. I miss it all more than I imagined….Marilee and I have so much respect for the guides as professionals but even more so as very special people of impressive character… The river was gorgeous…the food was amazing…. Hope also to see you all next year.
E. Koch (2019) 
We all had a blast. Thanks so much for putting together such a great team. Now I have to drag my wife and little girl out there, but I will need a Four Seasons Hotel to stop at each night!!
F. Scherma, Santa Monica, CA (2008)
The guides were amazing, they tended to every need, every questions, Skip took great care of the fishermen, he never ran out of stories, Devon handled the kayakers with grace and skill,… she and Mike were so cool, Hugh was ever the gentle man, always able to tell stories about the canyon, Tony of course was always watching over everyone to be sure things went well and safe, Mike was so awesome, Jon can sure play the harmonica… and of course Marshall, he kept everyone laughing… Every meal w… Read more
L. Tate, Walla Walla, WA (2013)
I can never thank you, Carole, and our wonderful guides, Josh, Tony, Mike, and Ben enough for providing that amazing … lifetime experience.  There are no words.  You’re our new extended family….  I frequently replay one video on my phone which brings me right back to the calm and peaceful days on the river.  What I wouldn’t give to be there right now.
M. Frazier-Koch (2019)
I enjoyed this trip as much as any of the many I’ve been privileged to be on with Hughes. You and the crew were excellent … assuring our safety and enjoyment of this awesome river. The power of the high water will remain with me forever…
J. McKay, Seattle, WA (2011)
What a wonderful trip and fantastic guides!  Thank you!
Dolezal, Chester, ID (2021)
Let me begin by stating that I never write a review unless someone is incredible!  Well, these guys were incredible!  I have been on several river trips before and nothing compares to Hughes.  I’m serious!  They have all new equipment, are incredibly knowledgeable, safe, friendly and really love what they do!  We had a lot of small children on the trip and these guys were careful.  We did some fun hikes.. Everything was absolutely amazing – especially the food!… Finally, and most importantly, th… Read more
K. Greenwood, Eden, UT  (2018)
How fortunate we all were to be with Hughes on this biggest adventure of our lives. When the 6 of us got back to Boise last Thursday night, we agreed it was the best vacation we had ever had. Thank you for providing the ingredients that made it so wonderful. Your boatman crew is superb… The food was over-the-top good…. We never felt rushed – the pieces of each day seemed to fit just right… We learned so many new things and were challenged to try things we’d never done. What a memory we… Read more
The Moores, Durham, NC (2008)
Please convey to Carole, to Jerry, and to all the wonderful guides and staff, my appreciation for a truly first-class trip on the Middle Fork. It really did exceed my already high expectations and I look forward to doing it again someday.
Ralph Rodgers, Knoxville, TN (2008)
The Snake Man, It was unanimous that all had a great time. I think we have passed the torch to the next generation… I spent most of my boat time with Colin aka Snake Jr. There were times when he would say things that would freak me out because he sounded so much like you. I would have to turn around to make sure I wasn’t in a time warp. It was like you were on the oars. Good to see you my friend.
T. Lilljedahl, Austin, TX (2014)
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© 2023 Hughes River Expeditions
406-540-4450 • email us • 6400 Caras Lane • PO Box 218 Lolo, MT 59847-0218
Hughes River Expeditions, Inc. is operated under special use permits through the Bureau of Land a Management & United States Forest Service.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.